Opening Prayer:

There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours. For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.

Confession of Sin & Prayer for Grace

Almighty God: I cannot keep silent about my sin; when I do, my bones waste away and your hand is heavy upon me. So I will acknowledge my sin to you, and I will not cover my iniquity. Today, I acknowledge the sin of ENTITLEMENT. I confess that I live with a demanding spirit that grabs, clutches, and expects, rather than with a generous spirit that thanks you and blesses others. Forgive me, O Lord, by the mercy of Jesus, who did not regard equality with you as something to be grasped, but emptied himself that I might be filled. Fill me up today with the freedom and joy of grace, for Your name’s sake: Amen.

Old Testament Reading: Amos 5:1-15

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

New Testament Reading: 2 Thessalonians 1

Prayer of Adoration:

Lord God: I thank you for your righteous judgment. I worship you for the promise that you will one day right every wrong and bring every deed to justice. With your church, I patiently await your return; and in the meantime, I praise you for the presence and comfort of your Spirit.

Psalm Reading: Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22

Prayer of Consecration

God, this Psalm urges me to “let the redeemed of the Lord say so!” And so I begin this day by saying so! I am one of your redeemed. And I worship you today, for as I look back on my life, I see that I have been a fool at times. Because of my iniquities, I have suffered affliction. But when I cried out to you in my distress, you delivered me! And now I ask that you would keep me from further foolishness. Maturing in you means growing in wisdom; and I wish to be wise today, not foolish. So grant me discernment; guard me with your grace; let your Spirit lead me in the good and right path. Cause me to grow in grace, for my good and your glory.

BENEDICTION

And now may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us now and always, until the day of Christ's return.

Friday, October 18, 2024